The sign had at least seven raintrees marked for the mulcher, however Cr Leu said that five would be removed as part of the $2.6 million redevelopment.

“Douglas Shire Council apologises for this really regrettable mistake and for any confusion caused,” Cr Leu said in the statement.

“The schedule is an initial scoping document that showed how many trees could potentially be removed.

"Council has since worked extensively hard to get the number raintrees scheduled for removal down to five raintrees only."

Council could not confirm who posted the work order or if it had been taken down.

The chopping of the raintrees, some of which are over 100 years old, has caused an outcry amongst some residents in the Mowbray Valley and across the Douglas Shire.

Vehicle access at the old one-lane bridge, which will be retained as a pedestrian path, will be replaced by a dual carriageway requiring the removal of numerous trees.

Security is currently patrolling the perimeter of the area on Mowbray River Road. It comes after previously held fears a number of protesters could attempt to gain access to the site.

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